Big Time Love Story Part 12: Back to Work and a Quiet Dinner
Once inside the studio, the guys headed to their dressing room while I headed to wardrobe with Erin and Katelyn. Kendall and Logan will be filming a double date scene with them and I was to help get them ready. I selected a red dress for Katelyn to go with her blonde hair.
"What do you think, Katelyn? One strap over the shoulder, doesn't show off a lot of cleavage, and it's not too short."
"Good choice, Miranda. I love it."
"Good. Okay Erin, your turn. I think I picked out the right one for you, too."
I held up a navy blue dress with a strap for each shoulder that would go just above her knees. Erin smiled and rushed to put it on. Once the girls were in their dresses, I put their hair up so they could apply some makeup.
"Okay, girls. I'm gonna go out there to see if the boys are ready for you. Come on out as soon as you're ready."
"Yep!"
"Will do!"
While they applied their makeup, I headed to the set and saw Kendall rehearsing his lines with Logan. Since Carlos and James shot their scenes this morning, the director said they could go home.
"Hey, guys. Erin and Katelyn are almost ready."
Logan nodded his thanks and went back to reading his lines. Kendall approached me and smiled.
"Thanks, Miranda."
"How does it feel being home after that tour?"
"Touring the country is nice, but it makes us really miss home and everyone we know. In your case, Carlos missed you most. Ever since that performance on his birthday and you agreed to be his girlfriend, he hasn't been the same."
"He doesn't seem to have changed."
"Trust me, he has. I never heard him talk of another girl the way he talks of you."
I smiled and was about to answer him when my cell phone rang.
"Hello?...Oh hi, Daddy. How are you feeling?...Still coughing, huh? Did the medicine help at all?...Better to get some sleep than none at all, I guess...Oh, really? That's nice of him...Be sure to thank him for me...Love you, too, Daddy."
"He feeling any better?"
"A little, but he's still got a bad cough. Carlos stopped by his apartment and cleaned the place since Dad's in bed. Even made up some chicken noodle soup."
Kendall smiled again and shook his head.
"Still don't think he changed much, Miranda?"
I giggled and looked over to Logan, who was trying to get Kendall's attention.
"Looks like filming is about to begin. Better get over there."
"Yeah, good idea."
Carlos' POV:
After talking to Miranda during her lunch break, I began setting up her dining room for dinner for the two of us. We were going out to dinner at a restaurant, but we were surrounded by a lot of fans the last time we went out. Miranda agreed that it was a good idea to have dinner at her apartment. This way, we'd get privacy and she could see her dad if he needed help.
"Carlos? Dad said you'd be here to welcome me home."
I smiled as I saw her gasp at her dining room table. The table was covered by a red and white tablecloth, plates and forks were arranged neatly, wine glasses stood behind the plates, and two lit candles stood in the center. James, who offered to play the part of the waiter, pulled out a chair for Miranda.
"Here you go, Miss Mayfield."
"Thank you, kind sir."
After pushing her chair back in, James stood up straight and looked at the two of us.
"Tonight, dinner was prepared by our very own Carlos Pena Jr. for his special lady."
Miranda blushed as a small smile lit up her face.
"Carlos, you cook?"
"Kinda. My parents taught me when I was growing up."
James poured wine into our glasses, then went back into the kitchen to get dinner.
"Tonight's dinner is beef enchiladas with a side of refried beans. Enjoy."
Miranda smiled as she served herself.
"Carlos, this looks wonderful. You didn't have to go through all this trouble."
"I know, but I wanted to do a redo of our date a few days ago since we were interrupted."
"Well, it's sweet of you to do this."
I raised my glass, and she did the same.
"I'd like to propose a toast to our first date and the many more dates to come."
"I'll drink to that."
With his work done, James said goodbye and headed out the door. As Miranda and I enjoyed our dinner, I smiled at the thought of having more dates as perfect as this one. Whether in public or in her apartment, any date I had with her would be enjoyable.
That's a wrap for part 12. Part 13 will be in Carlos' POV several years into the future, and will also be the final chapter of this story. Wasn't intending on ending it this soon, but I ran out of ideas. Stay tuned to see how it'll end
